Teresa Giudice seemed to have hit the reality show jackpot. The glamorous parties, flashy home. But was it all good to be true? We saw the real housewife of new Jersey like she's never been seen before. ABC's Amy robach got a look behind the curtain at a reality that's not quite as pretty. You're both white trash, quite frankly. In the ams of bravo's real housewives history -- You are a liar and alcoholic. For a series known for its over the top theatrics, there's perhaps no housewife as recognized or as controversial as New Jersey's Teresa Giudice. A woman as famous for her excess -- 19 times! As she is for her legendary cat fights. A. Is the Teresa sitting here the same Teresa we saw on TV? I'm very low key. You don't normally flip over seasons? I'm Italian. I'm very passionate when I believe in something. Do I regret doing that now? That wasn't real, that wasn't for the cameras? That was real. What else appeared to be real Teresa and husband Joe Giudice's luxurious lifestyle on the show. Including their New Jersey mansion. My house is pretty much all mar bell, granite, onyx. But federal prosecutors now say that life was all smoke and mirrors. Teresa and Joe have each been indicted on 36 counts of fraud. Prosecutors say they submitted false and fraudulent mortgage and loan applications and intentionally concealed and failed to disclose bank accounts and other income in a 2009 bankruptcy case. They defrauded banks out of $5 million. Joe has been indicted for not filing taxes from 2004 to 2008. They both pleaded not guilty. Was there any pressure when you're on show to have a bigger house and fancier things and really show case wealth? Any pressure? No. I mean, I don't feel like it. And I don't try to keep up with the jones. . Reporter: The prosecutors say there's a pattern that goes back to 2001 of misrepresenting how much you were making, in order to get loans. Then misrepresenting how little you were making filing for taxes and bankruptcy. What did you know about any of that? I would love to answer all of your questions and one day I will, you out of the respect of the process I'm going to let, you know, the legal matters play out in court. Reporter: Teresa and Joe's legal teams have requested separate trials. In court documents, Joe said Teresa had no involvement or knowledge of any alleged criminal activity. He will testify on her behalf if they're granted separate trials. What's the hardest part? My kids going through this every day. Reporter: Teresa has four daughters, Gia, Gabriella, and abriana. How do you do it? I'm a role model for them. I can't just be upset and crawl up in a ball and just go in a room and lock the door. Reporter: When the door is shut and they are in bed, do you get to do that? Yes. I would be lying to say I didn't. Reporter: Joe who was born in Italy is not a U.S. Citizen and could face deportation if convicted. Have you two talked about what that might mean for your family? I've been married to Joe for 14 years. He's been here his whole life. I guess that's something his attorney will deal with. Reporter: Teresa is moving ahead and filming season six of the real house wooifs. Do you want me to do anything? Can I have the cheese? Reporter: It must be tougher to deal with the legal issues and then film this season. I'm doing the best I can. I can't answer any legal questions while I'm filming. And I have to say, everybody's been very respectful of that. There was a time when I seemed Teresa's biggest problem was keeping the peace with her co-stars. Her brother and his wife Melissa. Stop hurting us. Be a man, stick with your blood. I'm not sticking with scum like you. Reporter: How has your relationship with your brother and Melissa? Oh, everything is good. Yeah, everything is good. At the end of the day, you know, you're -- you can't pick your family. Your family is your family. So you need to bury the hatchet and just move on. . Not me . Reporter: Her sister-in-law wasn't the only housewife Teresa clashed with. Reporter: The show has portrayed you at times as villain. I don't feel like they have portrayed me as a villain. If that's how the viewers stake it, there's nothing I can do about that. I mean, I -- you know, I tried to put my best foot forward. I try to be who I am. Reporter: On top of their legal troubles, the Giudice's marriage has been dogged by persistent tabloid rumors that Joe is cheating on his wife. Joe joined us in the Giudice kitsch ton talk about their life together. Reporter: There have been tabloid rumors that you've been cheating. It's like every week, isn't it? . Reporter: What's that like? It comes from being on television. It comes with the territory. Someone takes a shot and says I'm cheating. It doesn't make a difference. Reporter: What has it done to the two of you? Nothing. We're good. No rumor is ever going to come between us. If anything, through all this, it's made us stronger and, you know, we're grateful for that. Reporter: Like many of the housewives, Teresa has used her fame to build an empire. She's turned her skills in the kitchen into a career as a three-time New York times best selling cookbook author. She sells everything from hair care to desserts to her favored belini, which she calls a fabilini. Teresa and Joe run the business together. She is the face, he is the salesman, working behind the scenes. They hope to make this their legacy. How does that feel, how far you've come? The reason we are doing it is for our daughters so they could think about their future and what choices they want to make in their lives. Reporter: Joanne Teresa's future is unclear. They're scheduled to appear in court in April. They are each facing more than 30 years in prison. Obviously you have a lot of uncertainties. Some major legal issues. What are you hoping for in terms of you future? Just basically to get through all the bad stuff. And looking forward to the future with, you know, my wife and kids. And there's days where, you know, you feel a little depressed at times. But other than that, you just stay strong and just keep moving forward. Otherwise, if you just think about it, it will kill you. Reporter: Can you see a day when the stormpassed? Eventually that day will come. One day at a time. For "Nightline," Amy robach in New Jersey.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

'Real Housewives' Star on Looming Court Battle

Teresa Giudice and husband, Joe, facing possible jail terms, say they have never been closer.

The reality star spoke this week that she's 'not in denial' about charges.

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